KEHINDE FAJOBI
Eight medical personnel are set to face trial for homicide over the death of legendary Argentinian footballer, Diego Maradona according to a court ruling on Wednesday.
The Judge in charge of the case ordered a culpable homicide trial after a panel of 20 medical experts set up to investigate the footballer’s death in November 2020 found that the medical team acted in an “inappropriate, deficient and reckless manner” and that Maradona’s treatment had “deficiencies and irregularities”.
The footballer who underwent surgery for a subdural hematoma (blood clot), after decades of battling cocaine and alcohol addictions, does aged 60 while recovering from the surgery.
According to the panel, the medical team had abandoned the footballer “to his fate” for a “prolonged period” leading up to his death.
The eight personnel facing charges include Maradona’s neurosurgeon and personal doctor Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Augustina Cosachov, psychologist Carlos Diaz, two doctors, two nurses and medical coordinator Nancy Forlim.
They risk prison sentences ranging from eight to 25 years according to Argentina’s penal code. They all have denied responsibility for Maradona’s death.
A date is yet to be set for the trial.